Serrated cutting strip

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a cutting strip ( 102 ) which includes a flat, strip member ( 201 ) adapted to be attached to the edge of a carton. The member ( 201 ) having a first edge ( 202 ) having a plurality of teeth ( 204 ). The plurality of teeth ( 204 ) having a non-uniform tooth pattern ( 205 ) which comprises a first tooth pattern along a first section ( 209 ) of the edge and a second tooth pattern ( 207 ) along a second section ( 210 ) of the edge so that a sheet-tearing force can be applied to a sheet on either the first end or the second end of the member ( 201 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of cutting strips, and morespecifically to serrated cutting strips for a carton edge.

Cartons which hold rolls of plastic wrap, foil, freezer paper, or waxpaper and the like typically have cutting strips attached to their edgesfor cutting the plastic wrap, etc. after it is unrolled from the carton.Typically, the cutting strip is made from metal strip having a series ofuniform teeth running along its upper edge. The wrap or foil is pulledout of the carton against the teeth and a section of it is cut or tornoff.

Such a design can be improved. For instance, users often have adifficult time initiating and propagating a tear. Usually, the user hasto get just the right angle to start the tear since the teeth uniformlypoint straight upwards. Moreover, if the user changes hands or wants totear the sheet at the from the other end of the roll, they mustre-maneuver to get the sheet at the correct angle relative to the teethto initiate the tear.

Thus, what is needed is a cutting strip having an enhanced cuttingfunction so that it is easier to initiate a tear and which provides foroptimally tearing a sheet in either direction and from either end of thestrip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cutting strip which includes aplurality of teeth. The plurality of teeth having a first tooth patternalong a first section of the cutting strip and a second tooth patternalong a second section of the cutting strip so that an enhancedsheet-tearing force can be applied to a sheet on either the first end orthe second end of the cutting strip.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a carton which includes aholding section for holding a rolled sheet and a cutting strip attachedto an edge of the holding section for cutting the rolled sheet intosections. The cutting strip comprising a plurality of teeth along anedge of the cutting strip, the plurality of teeth having a non-uniformtooth pattern so that an enhanced sheet-tearing force can be applied oneither the first end or the second end of the cutting strip.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a cutting strip having ameans for providing an enhanced cutting action applicable from eitherend of the strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG.1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of a carton having acutting strip in accord with the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the cutting strip of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of another embodiment of a cutting strip inaccord with The present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention may be practiced. It is understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The leading digits of reference numbers appearing in the Figuresgenerally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component isfirst introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughoutto refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of one embodiment of a carton 100 inaccord with the present invention. Carton 100 includes a holding section101, a cutting strip 102, and a lid 103. Holding section 101 of carton100 is a box portion of carton 100 for holding a rolled sheet 105.Rolled sheet 105 can include such material as plastic wrap, aluminumfoil, freezer paper, or wax paper, and the like. In the exemplaryembodiment, carton 100 is a generic box, typically made from a papeboardmaterial which is cut and folded to form a box-shaped container.Alternatively, carton 100 can be made from any other desirable material,such as corrugated paper, plastic, laminated paperboard, and the like.Although the exemplary embodiment is a long, skinny carton, carton 100can be almost any shape or size the scope of the present invention.

Cutting strip 102 is a serrated-edged blade member for cutting ortearing sections off of rolled sheet 105. In the exemplary embodiment,cutting strip 102 is made from a plastic material. One such material isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,221 to Owen, et al., titled IMPREGNATEDAND SERRATED CUTTING STRIP FOR A CARTON, which is incorporated herein byreference.

Alternatively, it is made from paper, laminated paper, PET, PVC, HDPE,OPP, or metal laminates.

Cutting strip 102 is attached to an edge of carton 100 so that an edgeof strip 102 is exposed over the edge of carton 100. In one embodiment,cutting strip 102 is attached to carton 100 using a pressure sensitiveadhesive. Such a method is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,221 to Owen,et al., cited above. Alternatively, as is known in the art, cuttingstrip 102 is applied to carton 100 by performing a metal strip so thatextend downward below the perforation and then the strip is forced intocarton 100 to fix cutting strip 102 thereon Alternatively, otherattachment techniques, such as stapling, are possible.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of cutting strip102. Cutting strip 102 includes a main body member 201, a top edge 202,a bottom edge 203, and a plurality of teeth 204. Cutting strip 12 isgenerally a flat strip member having a series of notches cut or stampedinto its top edge 202 which results in the plurality of teeth 204.Cutting strip 102 can have any length or thickness desirable dependingon the length of roll 105 and carton 100.

Teeth 204 are sharp-pointed members for cutting, tearing, or detaching asection of a sheet. Teeth 204 have a non-uniform tooth pattern whichallows a sheet-tearing force to be applied to a sheet on either end ofcutting strip 102. In the exemplary embodiment, teeth 204 have a firsttooth profile or pattern 205 along a first section 209 of edge 202 and asecond tooth profile or pattern 207 along a second section 210 of edge202. In first tooth pattern 205, each tooth 204 has a generallytriangular-shaped profile and is pointed in an offset manner towardsfirst section 209. This first tooth pattern 205 is designed to cut asheet which is pulled or dragged along the edge in a first directionindicated by arrow 219. Since teeth 204 in first pattern 205 are angledor pointing towards the end second 209 of strip 102, they provide anoptimal cutting edge to initiate a tear in a sheet from that end sincethey naturally provide the correct cutting angle to initiate the tear.

In second tooth pattern 207, each tooth 204 has generally triangularshape and is pointed or angled in an offset manner towards secondsection 210. This second tooth pattern 207 is designed to cut a sheetwhich is pulled or dragged along the edge in a second directionindicated by arrow 220. Since teeth 204 in second pattern 207 are angledor pointing towards the end section 210 of strip 102, they provide anoptimal cutting edge to initiated a tear in a sheet from that end sincethey naturally provide the correct cutting angle to initiate a tear.

Since pattern 205 and 207 are non-uniform, a sheet can be torn fromeither end without having to adjust the sheet to initiate the cut. Forexample, a user can merely grab either end of a sheet and tear thesheet. Both patterns 205 and 207 provide enhanced cutting surfaces ontheir respective ends, and the non-uniformity of the patterns providefor optimal cutting from either end.

In one embodiment, each of teeth 204 have a constant thickness.Alternatively, the top portion of each tooth is compressed so that thetooth has a generally pyramid shape with sloping sides. Such a shape canincrease the cutting power of the tooth and helps prevent dulling afterrepeated use.

In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of teeth 204 have a generallysymmetrical pattern relative to a mid-point 208 of cutting strip 102(ie., first pattern 205 is a mirror image of second pattern 207). Teeth204 include a transition tooth pattern 206 between patterns 205 and 207.Transition pattern 206 can be a small section or a large section ofcutting strip 102. In alternative embodiment, the size or length ofpatterns 205, 206, and 207 can be varied according to design needswithin the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of another embodiment of a cutting strip 302 inaccord with the present invention. Cutting strip 302 is similar to strip102 and will not be described in detail. Strip 302 includes a main bodymember 301, a top edge 302, a bottom edge 303, and a plurality of teeth304 having a non-uniform pattern. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3,the non-uniform tooth pattern gradually changes from a first toothpattern 305 to a transition tooth pattern 306 to a second tooth pattern307.

In first tooth pattern 305, each tooth 304 has a generally triangularshape and is pointed in an offset manner towards first section 309. Asthe teeth reach the middle section of strip 320 they gradually becomemore upright and less angled until they merge with transition toothpattern 306. This first tooth pattern 304 is designed to cut a sheet ina first direction indicated by arrow 319. Since teeth 304 in firstpattern 305 are angled or pointing towards the end section 309 of strip302, they provide an optimal cutting edge to initiate a tear in a sheetfrom that end since they naturally provide the correct cutting angle toinitiate the tear.

In second tooth pattern 307, each tooth 304 has a generally triangularshape and is pointed or angled in an offset manner towards secondsection 310. As the teeth reach the middle section of strip 320 theygradually become more upright and less angled and gradually merge withtransition pattern 306. This second tooth pattern 307 is adapted to cuta sheet in a second direction indicated by arrow 320. Since teeth 304 insecond pattern 307 are angled or pointing towards the end section 310 ofstrip 102, they provide an optimal cutting edge to initiated a tear in asheet from that end since they naturally provide the correct cuttingangle to initiate the tear.

Since patterns 305 and 307 are non-uniform, a sheet can be torn fromeither end without having to adjust the sheet to initiate the cut. Forexample, a user can merely grab either end of a sheet and tear thesheet. The patterns 305 and 307 provide an optimal cutting surface ontheir respective ends, and the non-uniformity of the patterns providefor optimal cutting from either end.

In the exemplary embodiment, the plurality of teeth 304 have a generallysymmetrical pattern relative to a mid-point 308 of cutting strip 102(ic, first pattern 305 is a mirror image of second pattern 307).Alternatively, the size or length of patterns 305, 306, and 307 can bevaried according to design needs within the scope of the presentinvention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other non-uniform toothpatterns are possible other than the exemplary dual tooth pattern ofcutting strip 102 and the gradually changing tooth pattern of cuttingstrip 302. For instance, the tooth patterns of the embodiments shown canbe combined in some manner, or the transition tooth pattern of eitherembodiment can be lengthened or shortened as desired, or the teeth onone side can have a different style than the teeth on the other side,and so on.

Conclusion

The present invention provides a cutting strip adapted to be attached toa carton. The cutting strip includes a plurality of teeth having a firsttooth pattern along a first section of the strip and a second toothpattern along a second section of the strip so tat a sheet-tearing forcecan be applied to a sheet on either the first end or the second end ofthe cutting strip.

Advantageously, the present invention provides an optimal means forinitiating and propagating a tear from either end of a serrated cuttingstrip. The cutting strip having an enhanced cutting function so that itis easier to initiate a tear and having a non-uniform tooth pattern foroptimally tearing a sheet in either direction and from either end of thestrip.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determinedwith reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A cutting strip, comprising: a member having an edge comprising afirst end section and a second end section, the edge having a pluralityof teeth, wherein the teeth have a first tooth pattern along the firstend section and the teeth have a second tooth pattern along the secondend section, wherein in the first tooth pattern each tooth is angledoutwards generally towards a first end of the member and in the secondtooth pattern each tooth is angled outwards generally towards a secondend of the member, the edge further comprising a middle section betweenthe first and second end sections and a tooth pattern change sectionbetween the middle section and each of the first and second endsections, the teeth in the middle section and the tooth pattern changesections having different tooth patterns from the first and second toothpatterns, and the tooth pattern change sections include teeth at anangle between an angle of the teeth in the middle section and an angleof the teeth in an adjacent end section.
 2. A cutting strip as claimedin claim 1, wherein the or each tooth in the middle section pointsstraight upwards.
 3. A cutting strip as claimed in claim 1, wherein thetooth pattern in the tooth pattern change sections is of a differentpitch from the pitch of the tooth patterns in the end sections.
 4. Thecutting strip of claim 1, wherein the member is adapted to be attachedto an edge of a carton.
 5. The cutting strip of claim 1, wherein themember has a midpoint, and the plurality of teeth of the edge have asymmetrical pattern relative to the midpoint of the member.
 6. Thecutting strip of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of teeth of theedge has a generally triangular-shaped profile.
 7. The cutting strip ofclaim 1, wherein the strip member has an adhesive on a side thereof. 8.The cutting strip of claim 1, wherein the majority of the teeth of theedge are angled.
 9. A carton comprising: a holding section for holding arolled sheet; and a cutting strip attached to an edge of the holdingsection for cutting the rolled sheet into sections; wherein the cuttingstrip is the cutting strip of claim
 1. 10. A method of tearing a sheet,the method comprising: providing a cutting strip as claimed in claim 1;and pulling the sheet along the cutting strip from either the firstsection or the second section so that a tearing action is initiated. 11.A cutting strip comprising: a member having an edge comprising a firstend section and a second end section, the edge having a plurality ofteeth, wherein the teeth have a first tooth pattern along the first endsection and the teeth have a second tooth pattern along the second endsection, wherein in the first tooth pattern each tooth is angledoutwards generally towards a first end of the member and in the secondtooth pattern each tooth is angled outwards generally towards a secondend of the member, the edge further comprising a middle section betweenthe first and second end sections and a tooth pattern change sectionbetween the middle section and each of the first and second endsections, the teeth in the middle section and the tooth pattern changesections having different tooth patterns from the first and second toothpatterns, wherein the pattern of teeth gradually changes from the firsttooth pattern to the tooth pattern of the middle section through thefirst tooth pattern change section, and gradually changes from the toothpattern of the middle section to the second tooth pattern through thesecond tooth pattern change section.